Army Big Stick 5/8 wave exposed

[Marconi]

I believe this is the 5/8 wave ABS we are seeing in this video and the construction surprised me.


Click here for specs.
http://www.electricnet.com/doc/shakespeare-abs-1600-army-big-stick-cb-antenn-0001

Bob here is the original 2 piece Bib Stick with somewhat of a break away view. http://www.cbtricks.com/ant_manuals/shakespeare/ups_super_big_stick/ad/index.htm

 

[bob85]

The 176-su super big stick is the one i had Eddie,

In the early 80's i remember a grey 3 piece shakespeare that looked similar to the a99 without the tuning rings,

Can't find the old shakespeare with the coax tail hung out of the bottom,

I had another coax tail style antenna in the early 80's, super beacon mk3, similar idea but made from aluminum with a thick plastic coating.

 

[M0GVZ]

Looking at the blurb on the links from Marconi it says its "Manufactured on the same production lines and to the same critical standards as U.S. and NATO forces antennas, passing or surpassing Mil-Std 810"

"Built to Mil Spec" means to many people that they think its built well. Personally I don't because remember that typically the military will buy from the lowest bidder who manages to meet the minimum standards they require. In the case of military antennas cheapness and ease of swapping out are more important than anything. They don't give a rats ass about things like efficiency because they can use any power they want.

Certainly in the case of "mil-spec" coax that is actually to the spec the military want there are several manufacturers of non mil-spec making a far superior coax such as the Ultraflex.

Anyone who has been in the military will confirm that they've spent a great deal of their time criticising the kit they get issued with and forced to use and that much of it isn't fit for purpose and they usually end up buying their own civilian gear because its better.